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B. F. AUSTIN, A. M, D. D. 

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One Hundred of the Questions 

most commonly asked about 

Spiritualism, answered 

tersely and plainly. 

B. F. AUSTIN, A. M., D. D. 

Editor "Treason Quarterly " 




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Copyright 1920, by 
B. F. AUSTIN 



©CH563970 
MAR 13 1920 



THE A. B. C. OF SPIRITUALISM 



1. What is Spiritualism? 

Spiritualism is the Science which affirms the existence of 
Spirit as the Origin, Sustainer and Reality in all the forms of Na- 
ture and in all the expression of life. According to its teachings 
the Universe is spirit-built and constitutes a Divine Revelation of 
Spirit (God). Spirit manifests in all life, in all intelligence, in all 
power, in all wisdom and in all that is True, Beautiful and Good. 
Spiritualism is the Philosophy which explains the manifold opera- 
tions of the Spirit in nature, and in man. 

It is the Religion which demonstrates through Mediumship 
life's continuity after death, affirms man's divine origin and re- 
lationship, furnishes man with the true philosophy of prayer, 
gives the strongest possible motives to good conduct, inspires and 
aids man in self-development, and offers him the richest consola- 
tion in life's sorrows. 

2. Are Spiritualists Justified in Styling Spiritualism a Religion? 

Yes, aboundantly justified by its teachings and its effect 
upon human character and life. 

Leaving out all references to the derivation of the word 
religion — since the derivation of a word is very often lost sight 
of in its changed use and meaning — it may be most positively af- 
firmed that in the accepted use of the word Religion today there 
are three universally recognized ideas: the existence of a Su- 
preme Power; the efficacy of Prayer; and the duty and privilege 
of man to come into harmony and peace with that "power, not 
ourselves, that makes for righteousness." 

Spiritualism recognizes the omnipresence of Spirit — finds 
its manifestations and divine revelations in heaven and earth, in 
man and beast, in rock and flower, and thus the truly awakened 
Spiritualist is ever "face to face" with God. 

Spiritualism recognizes the efficacy and value of prayer, ex- 
plaining in its lucid and inspiring teachings how every expression 
of man's desire for the True, Beautiful and Good, causes the 
soul to "mount up on wings like the eagle," through the opera- 
tion of natural law; and how prayers are often specifically 
answered through the ministering angels and our arisen friends. 

Spiritualism in all its literature and inspired teachings has 
ever affirmed, the absolute failure of all creeds, ceremonies, sac- 
raments and ecclesiastical services to bring peace and comfort to 



mankind until the individual, through knowledge of the truth and 
loyal obedience to the truth, has brought his thoughts and affec- 
tions into harmony with the great laws that govern the spirit 
realm. Salvation from the viewpoint of Spiritualism is found 
only in that knowledge of, and obedience to, truth which brings 
man's life into perfect adjustment with Nature and with God. 

3. When and where did Modern Spiritualism Originate? 

In the village of Hydesville, New York State, on the 31st 
day of March, 1848. 

4. What distinction is to be drawn between Universal Spiritual- 
ism, Ancient Spiritualism and Modern Spiritualism? 

Spiritualists affirm, and truly, that many of the great leading 
principles of Spiritualism such as the existence of a supreme 
power, the value and efficacy of prayer, the belief in the con- 
tinuity of life, the belief (in many cases, the knowledge) of the 
communication between mortals and spirits, existed in nearly all 
the great religions of the world when these religions originated. 
Certainly in Bible times (both Old and New Testament) many 
held these great leading principles and knew of the open door 
of communion between the two worlds. 

5. Why is a distinction drawn between Modern and Ancient 
Spiritualism? 

Because on the 31st of March, 1848, through the wonderful 
mediumship of the young daughters of the Fox family (9 and 1 1 
years of age) a Code of Communication was established which 
opened up a wide door of inter-communion between mortals and 
spirits. And also because preceding and following this significant 
event there was a mighty outpouring of spirit power upon the 
world resulting in the development of a large number of Mediums 
all over America and the general spread of the knowledge that 
life is continuous after death, and that communication between 
the mortal and the spirit realm is possible and actual. 

6. If then Spiritualism holds principles and teachings common 
to other religions what reason is there for a Separate Religious 
Body? Has Spiritualism Distinctive Principles of its own? 

Most assuredly it has. 

1. Spiritualism through Mediumship offers the world its 
only present-day demonstration of the Continuity of Life. 

(Practically this is to most men a proof of Immortality since 
it seems impossible to doubt that man will survive any other 
great change that may be before him, if he can survive the change 
called death.) 

Spiritualism furnishes, then, the only firm and stable founda- 



tion for Religion and Morality. It furnishes the highest possible 
motives for study, development and for a truly moral and spirit- 
ual life. 

2. Spiritualism is the only Cult that not only affirms the 
fact of Mediumship but stands unequivocally for its cultivation 
and consecrated use in the instruction and uplift of the human 
race. 

7. What objections do opponents of Mediumship urge against 
its practice? 

They say it is inimical to health, often leads to insanity and 
tends to immorality. 

8. What answer to these charges is made by the advocates of 
Mediumship ? 

They point to the fact that the great majority of those 
possessing and practicing Mediumship are healthy, happy and 
compare favorably in point of morality and character with any 
other class of good citizens. Ten of the mediums best known 
to the writer range in age from 75 to 98 and are excellent ex- 
amples of happy and useful old age. 

Mediumship is generally associated with the Spiritual 
Philosophy of life which works out a mental emancipation for 
its followers from the narrow and pessimistic dogmas of the Old 
Theology and inculcates a most cheering optimism which cer- 
tainly tends to life's enjoyment and to health and longevity. 

A vast multitude of Mediums will testify to the fact that on 
yielding to spirit influence and guidance through Mediumship 
and becoming acquainted with the cheerful and inspiring teach- 
ings of the Spiritual Philosophy they have found not only an 
improvement in health but increasing motives and aid in leading 
a more spiritual life. 

It may be affirmed therefore, and with boldness, that the 
whole tendency of Mediumship unfolded under right conditions 
and consecrated to the instruction and comfort of the race, is to- 
ward health, happiness and the development of a loftier char- 
acter. 

That some mediums are immoral, some are sick, some have 
lost their reason, is no more than can be said of every class of 
public workers. 

9. What other answer is made to the charges brought against 
Mediumship ? 

Mediumship is in Nature's order. It seems to be a part of a 
great divine plan of the Infinite Intelligence for the instruction, 
inspiration and aid of the younger and less advanced souls in 
God's great family, by those of riper experience and richer 



knowledge. It extends thru all the ages and thru all the realms 
of the mortal and spirit spheres and will one day link into com- 
munication all the realms of spirit and all the worlds of space. 
Since some men and women are born mediums, never 
having to develop it (child mediums being found in all lands 
and ages), and since Mediumship comes spontaneously to many 
in adult life who have never sought it, and even against their 
wishes and protest, there must be a rightful and beneficial use of 
Mediumship in human life. 

10. Upon what is Spiritualism based? 

On the Principles of Nature, the Facts of human experience 
and upon Mediumship as the mouthpiece and interpreter of these. 

11. Is not Spiritualism based upon the Bible? 

No. The Bible so far as it is inspired and true is based upon 
Mediumship and therefore, both Christianity (the simple and 
beautiful teachings of Jesus — real primitive Christianity) and 
Spiritualism rest on the same basis. 

Spiritualism does not depend for its credentials and proofs 
upon any former revelation. 

12. Are true primitive Christianity and true Spiritualism op- 
posed and opposing systems? 

Not at all. Both originated through Mediumship. Both 
teach the spiritual nature of man; both teach and illustrate the 
continuity of life after death; both teach salvation by knowledge 
of, and obedience to, the Truth; both teach the intercommunion 
of the two worlds. 

The conflict, if any, is between Spiritualism and the spurious 
Churchianity of today, which has usurped the place of the truly 
spiritual teachings of Jesus, and is teaching what Jesus never 
taught and is not teaching what Jesus did teach. 

13. What is the relation then, between true Spiritualism and true 
Christianity? 

Each is independent of the other, having its own evidences 
and proofs, yet buttressing each other since their claims and 
teachings are so similar and their proofs and evidences are essen- 
tially one. The proofs by which early Christianity was estab- 
lished were known as Miracles; the proofs of the truth of Spirit- 
ualism are known as psychic phenomena. These are one in 
character. 

14. How do Spiritualism and true Christianity buttress each 
other? 

In this way: If the early miracles really happened — such as 
the healing of the sick, the gift of tongues, the lights and sounds 



of Pentecost, the remarkable deliverances of the followers of 
Jesus, etc., etc., — it is evident they occurred in nature's order, 
and therefore, may happen in our time. If, on the other hand, 
the psychic phenomena of today are genuine, why should we 
doubt precisely the same happenings (under another name) in 
early Christianity? 

15. Do Spiritualists deny the existence of the historic Jesus? 

No. The vast body of Spiritualists, including all their rep- 
resentative writers, accept Jesus as an historical character. They 
do not deny his miracles, though they hold it is impossible to 
make certain to human minds the happenings of two thousand 
years ago. Spiritualists as a body venerate the name and char- 
acter of Jesus and regard him as the world's great Teacher and 
Exemplar. 

16. Do Spiritualists believe in the divinity of Jesus? 

Most assuredly. They believe in the divinity of all men. 
Every man is divine in that he is a child of God, and inherits a 
spiritual (divine) nature. Just as a man developes his intellectual 
and spiritual nature and expresses it in life, he is "God manifest 
in the flesh." Since Jesus attained to and manifested in a very 
unusual degree the divine attributes of spirit no spiritualist would 
question his divinity. 

17. Does Spiritualism recognize Jesus as one person of the 
Trinity, co-equal with the Father, and divine in a sense in 
which divinity is unattainable by other men? 

No. Spiritualism accepts him as one of many Saviour 
Christs, who at different times have come into the world to lighten 
its darkness and show by precept and example the way of life 
to men. It recognizes him as a world Saviour but not as "the 
only name" given under heaven by which men can be saved. 

18. From the viewpoint of Spiritualism, how does Jesus save 
men? 

By his truth and by his life. According to the teachings of 
Jesus men become FREE (or saved) by knowledge of the truth. 
"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 
Spiritualism fully accords with this. It holds that the whole duty 
of man is to find the truth, love the truth, follow the truth and 
that in so doing he becomes a free man. 

As the life of Jesus was a beautiful commentary upon his 
teachings, even a more eloquent exposition of the truth than his 
words, as it was, in fact, a "living epistle, known and read of all 
men," it is truly said that Jesus saves men by his life. 



19. Does not Spiritualism recognize special value and efficacy in 
the death of Jesus in saving men? 

No. Spiritualism sees in the death of Jesus an illustration of 
the martyr spirit, of that unselfish and heroic devotion to hu- 
manity which ever characterized the life of Jesus, but no special 
atoning value in his sufferings and death. The world has had 
uncounted illustrations of men who have died for the truth. All 
such deaths have a moral value and influence but not in a sense of 
a ransom price for the souls of others, as taught by the so-called 
orthodox churches. 

20. How do Spiritualists explain the statement of Jesus: "I 
and the Father are one?" 

They put alongside this statement another of his state- 
ments: "The Father is greater than I" and find an interpretation 
in which both are true. 

Jesus and the Father were one in nature, one in desire and 
purpose for humanity's uplift, and yet as the Infinite Life and 
Intelligence and the Source of all Being, the Father was greater 
than the son, the Fountain greater than any stream that flows 
from it. 

21. From the standpoint of Spiritualism how is the character and 
work of Jesus to be interpreted? 

Jesus was a great Mediator, or Medium, who recognized all 
the fundamental principles of Spiritualism and practiced them. 
The existence of a Supreme Power; the Spiritual nature of man; 
man's continued life after death; the open door between the 
two worlds; the efficacy of prayer; the power of healing; the 
gifts of clairvoyance and clairaudience ; and the practice of com- 
munion with angels and spirits, are all to be found in the teachings 
and examples of Jesus. 

22. How does Spiritualism answer the objection: "the Bible 
condemns spirit communication ?" 

The fact that a few isolated passages are found in the Old 
Testament forbidding the practice of communicating with spirits is 
admitted. 

But this prohibition establishes at once the fact of spirit 
communication. There were special reasons for this prohibition 
at the time because of the abuses to which the practice had been 
subjected. Old Testament laws and regulations are not now con- 
sidered binding upon professed Christians, being abrogated in 
the newer and more spiritual dispensation of Jesus. Jesus him- 
self communed with angels and spirits and took his favorite dis- 
ciples to a seance on the Mount, where Moses and Elias ap- 
peared and communed with them. 



Surely there can be nothing more authoritative or binding 
in Christianity than the example of Jesus. 

23. What answer does Spiritualism make to the objection: 
"Christianity and Spiritualism are opposed to each other." 

Read Moses Hull's "Encyclopedia of Biblical Literature;" Dr. 
Crowell's "Primitive Christianity and Modern Spiritualism;" Dr. 
B. F. Austin's "Christianity and Spiritualism;" and you will find 
all the opposition is between Spiritualism and the perverted 
Christianity of today — better named Churchianity — and that the 
true primitive Christian religion and Spiritualism are most closely 
related and in general harmony. 

How — it may be asked — could Christianity be opposed to 
Spiritualism when the Christian Religion was really born in a 
Seance? The real beginning of Christianity, its motive power, its 
great impetus, came — not from the birth or death of Jesus — but 
from Pentecost, the greatest Seance in history. (See Dr. 
Austin's pamphlet, mentioned above.) 

24. What effect does the acceptance of the Spiritual Philosophy 
of Life have upon a man's character? 

It exerts an emancipating power over his mind and brings 
him out of the realm of doubt and into the realm of knowledge 
and hope. It inspires him with a love of truth and a desire for 
knowledge of spiritual things and spiritual growth and develop- 
ment. It tends toward a study of and compliance with natural 
law and hence improves his conduct and life, as he finds no es- 
cape under the teachings of Spiritualism from the consequences 
of wrong doing. 

25. It is boldly charged that by denying the dogma of eternal 
punishment and asserting that man can work out his own salva- 
tion, Spiritualism tends to immorality. What answer can be 
made to this charge? 

All writers on Criminology agree that it is not the severity 
of any proposed punishment but the certainty of the punishment 
that deters men from crime. It has been found that the death 
penalty — owing to the difficulty of convicting by jury and the 
possibility of pardon — does not deter from murder. So the 
threat of eternal punishment is not the strongest motive for ab- 
staining from evil, but the certainty that punishment suited to the 
transgression will follow. Eternal punishment as a motive to 
good conduct has lost its power over human minds because men 
almost universally doubt a dogma so abhorrent to reason and 
man's moral sense. Spiritualism by making rewards and punish- 
ments a part of nature's order and not an arbitrary arrangement, 
has furnished men the strongest motive possible to good living. 



From the very nature of the case it may be boldly asserted 
that no salvation wrought out by another person can be of any 
real value to a man. Unless a man takes himself in hand, seeks 
and follows the truth, and develops the spiritual nature (the 
Christ) within, no Saviour or system of religion can bring him 
freedom and peace. 

26. What effect does the teaching of Spirit Communion have 
upon human conduct? 

It naturally lifts our thoughts and affections above the dust 
and tends toward the spiritualizing of the life. The fact that our 
departed friends are often near us, that they are more or less 
conversant with our lives ,that they are interested in all that, con- 
cerns us, that our conduct is known to them, certainly has a ten- 
dency to restrain us from unworthy thoughts, motives and deeds. 
The man who will not be restrained from wrong doing by the 
knowledge that the eyes of a sainted mother, sister or friend, are 
upon him, will surely not be influenced by some threat of future 
punishment. 

27. In what way can our departed friends aid us to nobler and 
happier life? 

First, by demonstrating the after life and the fact that our 
conduct here brings to us a natural reward or punishment over 
there. 

Secondly, by the strength and inspiration which a knowledge 
of the continued love and watch-care of our departed friends 
imparts. 

Third, by impressions and messages in which we get words 
of kindly warning, wise counsels, and, sometimes, active co- 
operation in our life work. 

28. May not spirit communication be a curse as well as a 
blessing ? 

It is freely admitted that the spirit world contains evil spirits 
as well as good, (evil in the sense of ignorant, undeveloped, 
selfish, passionate) and that if we live on a law plane of morality, 
and enter into communion with the denizens of the lower spheres 
of spirit life, we may receive moral degradation. 

Mediumship is a ladder through which we should climb 
heavenward. We may reverse the ladder and go into a cavern 
of darkness. 

No one, however, who seeks truth through spirit communi- 
cation understandingly and prays sincerely for wisdom, need fear 
to investigate and may be well assured that they that are for him 
are greater than all that can be against him. 



29. Why is a Medium necessary in Spirit Communication? 

A medium is generally (not always) necessary because 
most people are spiritually blind and cannot see spirit forms; deaf 
and cannot hear spirit voices, insensate and cannot perceive spirit 
presence. 

There are, however, many who, if they had instruction and 
could rightly interpret their own experiences, would be able to 
communicate with spirit friends through their own powers. We 
call such people mediumistic. Mediums are necessary to most 
people as telescopes are necessary to the astronomer. They 
bring that which is naturally invisible into the visible realm. Our 
senses of sight, hearing and feeling are adapted to the physical 
realm in which we live, but quite inadequate to bring us into 
touch with the spirit realm and its inhabitants who function on 
a higher plane of vibration. Hence it has been the custom of 
kings to have their prophets (seers, soothsayers, mediums) and 
under one name or another men in all lands and ages have com- 
municated with spirit people through mediums. 

30. Why do my spirit friends go to a medium and not come 
to me? 

There are two false assumptions in this question. Your 
spirit friends do not as a rule go to the medium and your spirit 
friends do come to you. If your spirit friends do go to a medium 
it is for the purpose of bringing you and the medium together 
that they may reach you in communication. Ordinarily your 
spirit friends, drawn by love and natural ties of relationship, 
come to you. They speak and attempt to manifest their presence 
in a variety of ways. They find you cannot see them, hear them 
or sense them. And after repeated vain attempts to manifest 
they seek some one whose senses are open to perceive their pres- 
ence. It is a mistake to speak of a medium as bringing your 
spirit friends to you. When you get a message from a medium 
your spirit friends in all probability, went with you to the meet- 
ing — possibly impressed you to go — and often resort to various 
devices to bring about an opportunity to communicate with 
friends on the earth plane. 

Spirit Communication is a necessity and a boon to both 
realms. 

31. What attitude does Spiritualism take toward other Religions? 

A friendly and appreciative attitude, recognizing the 
rights of other religionists to think and act for themselves. Spirit- 
ualists rejoice in all good accomplished by the churches and 
various religious cults, freely acknowledging the fact that all of 
them are necessary in a sense to meet the varying needs of men 
in different stages of intellectual and spiritual unfoldment. While 



gladly recognizing the truth given out and the good done by 
others, Spiritualists claim equal right to point out the errors and 
fallacies of the old religions and to present with boldness and 
fidelity the newer and fuller gospel of the Harmonial Philosophy 
to the world. 

They believe the Churches today represent primary schools 
and that as men graduate out of these they naturally will pro- 
gress toward the broad and inspiring Philosophy of Life con- 
tained in Modern Spiritualism. Indeed they claim that all pro- 
gressive thought lies toward Spiritualism and that men progress- 
ing must advance toward it. 

32. What is the attitude of Spiritualism toward Miracles and 
the Supernatural? 

In the sense in which Miracles have been believed in and 
taught by the Church — as abrogation or suspensions of natural 
law — Spiritualism denies their existence. All occurrences both 
on the physical and the spiritual plane are under law. 

Miracles as wonderful happenings, seemingly contrary to 
the known laws of nature, are freely admitted. But in every 
case such happenings, it is held, are in accord with laws unknown. 
In other words the occurrences called miracles are events seem- 
ingly contrary to law, or it may be contrary to all laws known to 
the observer, yet in accordance with laws not fully understood. 
There is no arbitrary suspension or annulment of law in the 
universe. 

33. It has been charged that Spiritualism destroys homes ; weak- 
ens the sanctions of the marriage tie and is one cause of the 
many divorces in American life. What are the facts ? 

The answer is found in the fact that there are no happier 
homes in all the land than the homes of Spiritualists; that Spirit- 
ualists recognize the home as one of the great bulwarks of so- 
ciety; that Spiritualism teaches all its followers to recognize the 
rights of others and to treat every person with charity and kind- 
ness; that Spiritualism contributes to human growth and happi- 
ness and must therefore help to build and maintain stable family 
relationships; and that all the literature of Spiritualism and the 
whole trend of Spiritualistic teaching and messages are in sup- 
port of the home life. The Home is the first school and the first 
Church of humanity, and so is held in respect and reverence by 
the vast majority of Spiritualists. It is quite possible that some 
people on a low plane of intelligence and morality professing and 
possessing mediumistic powers have in individual instances dis- 
turbed family relationships. The writer, however, after twenty 
years* association with the organized Spiritualism of America 
cannot recall a message or a discourse in Spiritualist meetings 



tending to disturb family relationships, but happily can recall 
many which were directly in the line of promoting peace, har- 
mony and good will in the home circle. 

34. If Spiritualism rests on the fact of Mediumship and Spirit 
Communications how can one account for Spirit Messages and 
prophecies which prove untrue? 

Spiritualism does, indeed, rest on the fact of Mediumship 
and spirit communications, but does not undertake to guarantee 
the truth of every statement or message from the spirit realm. 
The mail service, telegraphy and wireless are methods of com- 
munication established among men, yet no one would guarantee 
the truth of all letters, telegrams and wireless messages. The 
spirit world is a vast realm and contains every class of intelli- 
gence and every grade of morality that has existed on the earth 
plane. If a medium, therefore, contacts untruthful and deceiving 
spirits, it is quite possible to receive messages that prove untrue. 

35. Are all unreliable messages from lying spirits? 

By no means. Many messages express the opinions, pos- 
sibly the sincere beliefs of the spirit communications, and these 
are proved by future events to have been founded on miscon- 
ception and error. Spiritualism has never claimed any infalli- 
bility for spirit messages. 

36. Are there any other explanations of the failure of spirit 
messages and spirit prophecies to come true? 

Undoubtedly there are many other explanations of the 
failure of spirit messages. The whole method and practice of 
spirit communication is still in an experimental stage. In the first 
place the communicating intelligence must possess clear knowl- 
edge of the facts to be transmitted. Secondly, the medium must 
be in perfect condition to properly receive the message sent. 
Then the medium must present the message perfectly to the 
sitter. And lastly the sitter must clearly sense and receive the 
message. On any of the above lines a failure is possible and 
through lack of perfect conditions the message as originally for- 
mulated does not reach the intelligence of the sitter. No doubt 
many failures (?) of spirit messages can be accounted for in 
this way. 

37. But if Spirit advice and prophecy may prove unreliable, 
what benefit can men receive from them? 

The same benefit that you can receive from the advice of 
the lawyer, doctor or earth friends. None of these are infallible 
and yet their counsel is often very valuable. Spirit messages 
have never been advocated by Spiritualism as an infallible source 



of guidance. All representative Spiritualist teachers urge people 
to gain all the advice and knowledge possible from friends in 
both worlds, and then determine their own conduct according to 
the reason and moral sense God has given them. 

38. But Spirit Messages often contain trivialities and recite petty 
incidents in human life. Can such trifles engage the attention 
of Spirit Intelligences? 

Semingly trifling incidents in human life noted and reported 
by our spirit friends prove the nearness of our spirit friends and 
their watchcare over us. If such incidents deepen the conviction 
of the truth of spirit return in any human mind, they are no 
longer to be regarded as trifles. Sir Oliver Lodge, Dr. J. H. 
Hyslop and other Researchers hold and emphasize this view. 

39. If Spiritualism is a Progressive Religion, why are there so 
many Spiritualists who do not care for books, lectures, class 
work or study of the Spiritual Philosophy? 

The answer is that these people do not represent Spiritualism 
but "Spiritism." They are as a class "Phenomena Hunters" and 
have gone off the path of self-development and progress which 
true Spiritualism prescribes, to worship strange Gods. They 
center all their interest in the movement upon the messages and 
these they exalt into a "fetish" and seek to escape all responsi- 
bility for the use of their own reason and moral sense, by rush- 
ing to the spirit world for advice on every occasion. 

These people are not true representatives of Spiritualism 
but, unfortunately, they constitute a large proportion of the move- 
ment. They represent in Spiritualism the old wing of the church 
army who sang lustily, "Jesus paid it all," and who trusted their 
salvation to the sufferings of the Crucified — since these worship- 
pers of the phenomena apparently believe that "the spirits will do 
it all ' and that life will be replete with joy and happiness if they 
will faithfully follow up every available message circle. 

40. What, then, is the true Mission of Spirit Messages ? 

First to convince men of the continuity of human life. Sec- 
ondly, to spiritualize our thoughts, affections and lives by in- 
struction and guidance. Thirdly, to bring us Consolaton in the 
sorrows and bereavements of life. Fourthly, to enable us to 
reach through Mediumship exalted and powerful spiritual helpers 
in the great crises of Life. 

Spirit messages are not designed to take the place of our own 
reason and moral sense in ordinary affairs or in business life. 

41. What class of Spirit Messages are most likely to prove falli- 
ble and misleading? 



By common consent it is admitted that messages dealing 
with worldly affairs are most likely to prove disappointing and 
misleading. 

42. Are there not authentic instances where the Spirit World 
has given advice that proved valuable in worldly affairs? 

There are such cases but they are exceptional. Generally 
where such messages as these are given they have either come 
spontaneously to the mortal, prompted by the love and watch- 
care of some spirit friend, or as reliable advice that brought 
financial good to some one for the promotion of the cause of 
truth. 

Comparatively few instances can be found where men seek- 
ing financial gain for themselves have found that spirit advice led 
on to fortune. 

43. Are there not instances where men have sought advice from 
the spirit world in worldly afBairs and, following the same, 
have met with disaster? 

Quite a number of such cases have become known to the 
writer. 

44. Why does the advice of the spirit world on worldly matters 
so often prove unreliable? 

There are doubtless many reasons for this. 1. The in- 
habitants of the spirit realm are out of direct touch, 
and not EN RAPPORT, with material conditions. 2. Some 
spirits are asked to give advice along lines of business with 
which in their earth life they had no connection and with which 
they have not acquainted themselves since passing over. 3. The 
mental atmosphere of those desiring and seeking messages for 
worldly gain is not conducive to good conditions for spirit mes- 
sages. 

45. How may the failure of other spirit messages regarding 
worldly affairs be accounted for? 

Sometimes an individual whose mind is filled with some 
project of worldly gain, whose desire and will are very strongly 
enlisted, and with whom the thought of this great gain has be- 
come an obsession, visits a medium, not so much to get the 
truth as to gain confirmation of his desires. The medium in a 
sensitive condition is more, largely dominated by the vibrations of 
the sitter than by the vibrations of the spirit world and the sitter 
gets back a reflex of his own mind and will. Sometimes the 
mortal vibrations of a circle are stronger than those from the 
spirit realm. A sitter under such conditions gets back the mes- 
sage he has brought. 



46. What conditions are necessary on the part of the sitter to 
get the truth in a spirit message? 

A mind free from bias; absolute sincerity; a supreme desire 
for truth whether it proves agreeable or the reverse; and a calm, 
receptive mind. 

47. Are Mediums to blame for untruthful and unreliable mes- 
sages? 

Not necessarily. If they have desired only to receive and 
give out the truth, and have helped to instruct the public in the 
true mission of the spirit message, and have sought to use their 
spiritual gift for spiritual purposes, they cannot be blamed for 
the impressions received when they have yielded themselves to 
spirit influence. 

48. Are Mediums responsible for the abuses that characterize 
spirit messages? 

Some mediums are progressive, spiritual and seek to educate 
themselves and their patrons in all that pertains to spirit com- 
munications so that the best possible results may come to all. 
Others, we fear, care little for progress themselves, do little in- 
structional work, and while knowing that spirit messages dealing 
with worldly affairs are often unreliable, give them out to all and 
sundry with great confidence thus cultivating a popular belief 
that messages dealing with worldly affairs may be relied upo* 
guidance in business. The latter class of mediums may surely 
be held responsible in part for the abuses associated with the 
messages. 

49. How might the message work among Spiritualists be lifted 
to a higher plane? 

1 . By more study of the conditions necessary to the exer- 
cise of reliable mediumship and attention thereto. 2. By classes 
of instruction for all Spiritualists under a good teacher. 3. By 
requiring a Three Months' Course of reading and Catechism in- 
struction for all beginners and investigators before they are ad- 
mitted to Seances. 4. By emphasizing the fact that Spirit Mes- 
sages are chiefly and primarily for spiritual instruction and com- 
fort and only incidentally for material interests. 5. By requir- 
ing all church mediums to confine their public messages to spirit- 
ualities and compelling those who seek information and instruc- 
tion from the spirit world on material affairs to do so in private 
sittings. 

50. What are the chief outward hindrances to the acceptance and 
spread of Modern Spiritualism? 

Ignorance of the Philosophy and Phenomena presented by 



Spiritualism to the world. The Power of Numbers, Wealth, 
Prestige in the church which has ever opposed Spiritualism. 
The Practical Materialism of the age largely immersed in money 
getting. Fear of Social Ostracism on the part of those who are 
attracted toward the movement. 

51 What Causes within the spiritualistic Movement retard its 
growth? 

Too radical statements of doctrine to those whose are not 
prepared for them; attacks on the Bible and Christianity as if 
Spiritualism was utterly out of harmony with them (Spiritualism 
has its own rational interpretation of the Bible and is not at war 
with Christianity properly understood, the Christianity of Jesus) ; 
illiterate workers who crowd their way to the front and assume 
the platform without very much of a message and with very poor 
qualifications for expressing that message; lack of harmony 
among mediums and societies, engendering rivalries and jeal- 
ousies; officials who have sought office and position and ob- 
tained them and are not qualified for leadership. 

52. Is Spiritualism growing? What prospects of its general ac- 
ceptance by the masses? 

If by Spiritualism is meant the organized movement it must 
be frankly admitted that it waxes and wanes with the varying 
conditions and the different workers in each locality. Many 
societies and churches under settled pastors and with efficient 
mediumship, show increasing strength and solidity and others 
■ decrease in effectiveness. 

If by the growth of Spiritualism, however, is meant the pro- 

igress of the Spiritualistic teaching and the general acceptance of 
its fundamental ideas, then it may be boldly asserted that no other 
jt form of religius teaching in the world is making more rapid 
headway. A mighty tide of thought and sentiment in favor of 
the main propositions of Spiritualism is sweeping over the world. 
The signs of the times are so many and so apparent that all who 
read and think must perceive the world's growth toward the 
Spiritual Philosophy of Life and Death. 

53. What are some of the more obvious proofs of the rapid 
advance of human thought toward Spiritualism? 

1. The great change in pulpit teaching during the last 25 
years. Ministers today are not teaching what they did a quarter 
of a century ago. They are teaching what they did not formerly 
teach. The changes are all in the direction of Spiritualism. 

2. The more liberal attitude of the press. Today many of 
the leading magazines and many of the leading papers in the 
largest cities of the land are exploiting Spiritualism by publishing 



the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mrs. Wilcox, Sir Oliver 
Lodge, Rev. Robert Wynne of London, England, and other con- 
verts to Spiritualism. Spiritualism is getting more unsolicited 
and free advertising in the press than any other liberal Cult. 
Christian Science articles are paid for, but the leading editors are 
exploiting Spiritualism in response to a popular demand. 

3. The radical change in the funeral services of today 
proves that the optimistic and Spiritualistic teaching regarding 
death has supplanted the gloomy and pessimistic teaching of the 
past days. 

4. The growing demand for Spiritual literature and for 
seances and sittings with mediums proves that the hearts of the 
people are turning toward Spiritualism for instruction and com- 
fort. 

5. The fact that the leading book publishers of New York 
City, Boston and other cities, who a few years ago turned down 
all books upon this subject, are now publishing very many of 
the most popular books on Spiritualism, is proof that the tide of 
public sentiment runs strongly toward Spirit Communion. 

54. Where can I get fuller information about Spiritualism? 

* Most public libraries have in whole or in part the writings 
of Andrew Jackson Davis, the author of the Harmonial Philo- 
soph and known as the "The Great Seer of Poughkeepsie" and 
often styled the "Father of Spiritualism." The writings of Dr. J. 
M. Peebles, Dr. Moses Hull, Judge Edmonds, Stainton Moses, 
Hudson Tuttle, Sir Wm. Crookes, Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, Sir 
Oliver Lodge, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, are worthy of careful 
study. Write to the N. S. A. Headquarters, Mr. Geo. Kates, 
secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., S. E., Washington, D. C, for 
information. Or address the Progressive Thinker in Chicago; 
the Austin Publishing Co., Los Angeles, Calif. ; the Banner of 
Life, Boston, Mass. Consult the officials of any Auxiliary So- 
ciety of the N. S. A. ,and you will probably find all needed in- 
formation. 

55. How can Spiritualism help a man to nobler character and 
more effective life? 

First by giving him an exalted conception of human nature 
in general and of his own unlimited powers and possibilities. 
Man's nature (from the Spiritualistic viewpoint) is absolutely 
unlimited except by the conditions that may aid or hinder its 
expression. As these conditions are largely under man's control 
through right thinking and action, man can steadily rise in the 
scale of intelligence, power, wisdom and efficiency, expressing 
more fully his divinity to the world. This optimistic view of 
man's greatness and of the law of eternal progression implanted 



in human nature, has a most stimulating and beneficial effect on 
his character and life. It is a constant auto-suggestion to a man 
to make the most and best of himself. 

56. What right have Spiritualists to say that Spiritualism is "The 
Religion of Sunshine and Happiness?" 

Because Spiritualism disperses the gloomy concepts found 
in the teachings of the past — teachings that were born in the 
darkness of the human mind and the savagery of the human 
heart — and everywhere presents to man the newer, truer and 
more cheerful views of human nature, life, death and the future- 

57. What are the Teachings of Spiritualism regarding the so- 
called evils of life? Do Spiritualists deny that these evils evist? 

No. Sickness, pain, sorrow, loss, trouble and bereavement; 
have a real, though temporary, existence. They do not exist in 
the same sense that the good in life exists. Evil dies — the good 
in life persists. Evil is the cloud crossing the face of the sun, 
but swiftly vanishing. Good is the ever-living, ever-shining sun. 
This doctrine when fully understood makes every man an op- 
timist. It robs evil of its power to destroy peace and happiness. 
It strengthens all souls compelled for a time to dwell in the 
shadow. It shows how "evil" when rightly understood and used 
often merges into good. 

58. Has Spiritualism any solace for the sorrowing? 

It is especially the One Religion of Consolation. Its teach- 
ings brighten the atmosphere of human life. Its demonstration 
of the after life has proven the Nectar of divinest comfort to 
the heart-broken and despondent. It is today the great Mother 
of Comfort to a world in tears over ten million slain in battle and 
unaccounted deaths resultant from the war. 

Spiritualism brings "the touch of a vanished hand, the 
sound of a voice that was still." That is why out of all the 
churches today members are going in secret, like Nicodemus, to 
the medium, for comfort. 

59. What is the attitude of the Clergy toward Spiritualism? 

The Clergy of the Churches today are generally ignoring 
Spiritualism. Formerly they boldly attacked its teachings. Now, 
with few exceptions, they are silent on the subject or only oc- 
casionally speak of it in terms of reproach or condemnation. 

60. Why are the Clergy silent on a theme of such wide-spread 
interest and one so vitally connected with religion? 

Clergymen address congregations every Sunday that are di- 
vided on this question. In every congregation are found people 



who believe in the truth of Spiritualism and commune with their 
arisen friends in the home circle. Many others in the congrega- 
tion are, through ignorance and prejudice, opposed to Spiritual- 
ism. Hence for the Orthodox minister to take a stand, for or 
against, Spiritualism is to encounter criticism, and possibly, op- 
position. 

61. Are there other reasons for the Silence of the Clergy on 
Spiritualism ? 

Doubtless there are many other reasons and among them 
we may mention: 

1. Many ministers actually believe in the truth of Spirit 
Return, but fear to take a stand that may possibly mean the loss 
of their pulpit and salary. Many ministers are good for very 
little in this practical age except ministerial work. They fear to 
launch their bark upon an unknown sea. 

2. Many clergymen who suspect the truth of Spiritualism 
are afraid to voice the silent belief of their hearts openly, and 
content themselves with preaching many distinctive teachings of 
Spiritualism under the cloak of their own religion. Nearly every 
funeral sermon by orthodox ministers today contains more or 
less of the distinctive teachings of Spiritualism. 

62. Are the clergy of today justified in being silent on the sub- 
ject of Spiritualism? 

No. A subject that is so much in the thoughts of the people 
today, upon which so many enquiries are being made, one so 
vitally connected with the happiness of the people, one so closely 
related to the teachings and practices of the early Christians, 
ought to receive full and fair treatment in the pulpit. 

Ministers are "watchmen on the walls of Zion" and should 
not be "dumb dogs that bark not," on the approach of a foe, but 
courageous and faithful watchmen, sounding an alarm against a 
foe, or opening the gates to a friend. A cowardly minister is 
a disgrace to his profession 

Let the clergy get off the fence, and if Spiritualism is, in 
their opinion false and misleading, let them denounce it. If they 
find it true, let them endorse it boldly to the world. 

63. How may the Clergy be aroused to action on this subject? 

Members of their congregations interested in Spiritualism 
should ask their clergy to preach upon the subject. Get a copy 
of "Conundrums for the Clergy," an inexpensive pamphlet, and 
send it to the minister. Collect a number of Bible passages and 
Bible incidents in which Spiritualism is taught or implied, and 
ask the minister to explain his interpretation of these in the 
pulpit. 



64. Is there a safe and rational way of unfolding one's own 
Mediumship ? 

All men are mediums but most men are undeveloped 
mediums. In some the mediumistic gifts are on the surface; in 
others they are deep within the nature, and hence in many cases 
will not be unfolded on the mortal plane. 

Multitudes of people, however, have some of the simpler 
phases of mediumship and could unfold them greatly to their 
own advantage and comfort. First, let them harmonize their 
own powers by building their character and life on Nature* s 
plan — making their thoughts, affections and action centre upon 
spiritual interests. So long as men are in the animal stage of life 
(governed by the body, and passion and appetite ruling them) 
they had better not unfold and use their mediumistic gifts. 
Mediumship on this plane is a curse rather than a blessing. 

Secondly, let them make harmonious environment. Bring 
all possible knowledge into the mind; music, art and culture into 
the life; cultivate aspiration which leads to inspiration; cultivate 
a love of truth as the soul's greatest possession; let the con- 
science and moral nature with Reason govern the life; ask and 
persevere in asking for teachers from the heights; give out the 
light and truth to others; wait patiently on the Lord (the spirit 
realm) and follow the monitions of the spirit. 

65. What is the Mission of Spiritualism? 

Spiritualism is a World Teacher, Inspirer and Comforter of 
humanity. It aims at the unfoldment and uplift of the race. It 
emancipates the mind from error. It interprets to man the great 
volume of nature. It is the best key with which to unlock the 
storehouse of Spiritual Knowledge. It is an illuminating teacher 
on the Bible and Christianity: It explains the enigmas and riddles 
of life. It brings all realms of nature under law and asserts that 
man's whole duty in life is to find out the laws of nature and 
conform to them. 

66. What is the attitude of Spiritualism upon the subject of 
Metaphysical Healing? 

It asserts the efficacy of Metaphysical healing and finds evi- 
dence of its practice and value in all the great religions of the 
past and in its diversified forms of treatment today. 

67. Does Spiritualism antagonize the Medical Profession? Does 
it deny the value of drugs, ordinary medical practice, sur- 
gery, etc.? 

No. Spiritualism recognizes candidly the great value of 
medical studies and in part the value of medical practice. It 
acknowledges a potency in drugs and a necessity for, and great 



benefit in skilful surgery. In this respect its attitude is quite 
the reverse of that of Christian Science. 

68. What objections do Spiritualists raise to the medical pro- 
fession and to ordinary materia medica? 

The great objection to ordinary medical study and practice 
that Spiritualism raises is rather to its defects than to what it 
contains. 

It holds that the medical study and practice up to the present 
time has dealt almost solely with the body which is merely the 
house in which a man lives; that every system of medical study 
and practice which does not include a thorough and practical 
knowledge of man's mental and spiritual forces and their in- 
fluences in causing and healing disease, is radically defective; 
that you can no more secure radical and permanent healing for 
the sick by mere change of bodily conditions than you can reform 
a man's character by painting his house; that disease originates 
largely in wrong mental action (inharmonious thinking, feeling 
and willing) ; and that to secure permanent restoration to health 
and happiness you must bring the mind and spiritual forces into 
harmony with each other and with nature. 

69. Has Spiritualism practiced Metaphysical Healing? 

Yes, and in a great variety of efficient forms. Historically 
Spiritualism may justly be regarded as the Mother of the many 
cults of Metaphysical Healing now spread over America. Long 
before Dr. Quimby and Mrs. Eddy and Evans of the Mind Cure, 
long before the New Thought Movement was organized, Dr. An- 
drew Jackson Davis taught and practiced healing by the mind 
and spirit forces (though he also made a limited use of drugs), 
and continued this practice 65 years. Nearly every medium of 
the early days of Modern Spiritualism was a healer and the 
verified accounts of many of their healings read like Miracles of 
the olden time. Dr. J. R. Newton was in many respects the most 
noted, popular and successful healer who ever walked the earth. 
According to statistics furnished by representative committees in 
the various cities he visited, and published in that marvellously 
interesting book: "The Modern Bethesda; Or the Life of Dr. 
J. R. Newton," he laid his hands on and healed in about 20 
years 1 50,000 people. No more astounding cases of healing 
are found in the world's history than those of Dr. Newton who 
was a devout Spiritualist. 

70. Have there been other remarkable healers in the Spiritual- 
istic movement? 

Yes, too many to mention here. One very well known to 
the writer, Mrs. J. H. R. Matteson of Buffalo, who passed away a 



few years since after a wonderful record of 33 years in healing 
thousands — large numbers of them having been given up by 
regular physicians. 

It may be objected that as Mrs. Matteson administered 
herbal remedies her healing was not metaphysical. It was very 
iargely so because her remedies were the result of spiritual teach- 
ing and control, and her diagnosis of disease was through her 
wonderful clairvoyant powers, and along with her remedies there 
were given by her guides and helpers, many suggestions which 
were powerfully effective. 

71. What other methods of healing, more or less Metaphysical, 
do Spiritualists believe in and practice? 

1. Healing by Light and Color as taught by Dr. Edward 
Babbitt, the Scientist (a devout Spiritualist who acknowledged 
the spiritual origin of his discoveries) in his "Chromopathy or 
Principles of Light and Color." This was always taught by Dr. 
Babbitt in conjunction with mental suggestion and the awakening 
of the Spirit Forces, and may, therefore, be classed as largely 
Metaphysical. 

2. Healing by laying on of hands. This is largely believed 
in and extensively practised in all Spiritualist Societies. Along 
with the magnetic forces imparted by the hands the power of 
music, prayer and good suggestion is used and with most benefi- 
cial results. 

3. Spiritualists generally recognize the efficiency of all the 
finer forces in nature and many of them find in the electric and 
magnetic forces, administered by skilful and experienced healers, 
great benefit in certain forms of disease. 

4. Spiritualists believe in the Healing Power of Music. 

72. What is the attitude of Spiritualism toward the various 
Schools and Methods of Healing throughout the land? 

Spiritualists find some good in all the systems in vogue but 
look upon most of them as defective, believing that no system of 
bodily treatment can be radically and permanently effective. 
They look upon man as a unity and so long as the real man — the 
thinking, feeling and willing self — is left out of the treatment, so 
long will that system prove inadequate and transitory. 

73. What is the attitude of Spiritualism toward Christian Science? 

Spiritualists generally rejoice in the organization and spread 
of the Christian Science Movement as an off-shoot of Spiritualism 
as Mrs. Eddy was a practicing medium for a time in Boston. They 
rejoice in it also as a large exodus from Orthodoxy toward Lib- 
eralism. They gladly recognize the fact that many people are 
healed and many people rendered happier by the acceptance of 



Christian Science. They are pleased that such large numbers 
have escaped from the bondage of the old church teachings and 
have made a substantial advance toward the fuller and more 
optimistic teaching of this age. 

74. Do Spiritualists accept Mrs. Eddy's teachings in "Science 
and Health?" 

Only in part. They regard Mrs. Eddy's denial of spirit 
return as insincere — her statement that she was never a medium 
as false — and many of the teachings of "Science and Health" 
as irrational and contradictory. 

75. How do they look upon Christian Science as a system of 
teaching ? 

As a mixture of many and in some cases, opposing elements. 
The distinctive features of Christian Science teaching they trace 
to Phineas P. Quimby, Mrs. Eddy's healer and teacher. (See 
Letter of Dr. Quimby's son, published in November, 1918 "Rea- 
son Quarterly." See also the McClure Magazine series of articles 
on Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science.) 

The Scripture interpretations of "Science and Health" 
Spiritualists trace largely to Emanuel Swedenborg and its Ideal- 
ism to Berkeley and other philosophers of that school. 

76. Do not Spiritualists recognize the greatness and genius of 
Mary Baker Eddy? 

Most assuredly they do and to these and her mediumship 
they attribute the power and success of her movement. She is 
generally regarded by Spiritualists as one of the greatest women 
of the age, despite many human frailties, and despite the fact of 
her denial of historic facts regarding herself and the true origin 
of her system of healing. 

77. What relation is there, if any, between the New Thought 
Movement and Spiritualism? 

Spiritualists regard the New Thought Movement favorably 
and look upon it as one of the many indirect results of the great 
tide of thought and sentiment that sprang out of the origin and 
spread of Modern Spiritualism. The Optimism of New Thought; 
the high concept it has of human powers and possibilities; the 
Metaphysical Healing it practices; the wide departure it has 
made from Orthodoxy in abandoning the Old Theology and ac- 
cepting the New Theology — and many other good features of the 
New Thought — were all found in Spiritualistic literature before 
the New Thought Movement was born. Granted that in the 
New Thought Movement these teachings are amplified and car- 
ried out in greater detail. 



Spiritualists generally have little criticism of so-called New 
Thought Teaching but as a philosophy of life or a system of re- 
ligion they regard it as radically defective. No philosophy of life 
can be complete without the demonstration and certainty of the 
Unending Life. No Religion that is devoid of a true philosophy 
of Death and some positive teaching of the inter-communion of 
the two realms, and some information about the "Great Beyond" 
can be regarded as complete or satisfactory. 

78. What will be the character of the Religion of the Future? 

Religion will be looked upon as natural — not supernatural. 
It will be the spontaneous outflow of love and gratitude of the 
awakened soul toward the Giver of all good, and the cultivation 
of humane and generous views of one's fellowmen, resulting in a 
life of service for humanity. 

79. What will be the Spirit of the Future Religion? 

It will be expressed in Lincoln's immortal words: "Charity 
for all and malice toward none." In Stead's noble aphorism: 
"The union of all who love and serve in the interests of all who 
suffer." In the Wisdom of the Brahmins: 

"It is not blessedness to know 
That thou thyself art blest: 
True happiness is not by one 
Nor yet by two possessed; 
Not to the many is it given 
But only to the all; 
The joy that leaves one soul unblest 
Would be for mine too small; 
And he that has this ardent hope 
Will strive with earnest soul, 
To work out his own proper good, 
By working for the whole." 

80. What must be the main Characteristics of any future re- 
ligion for humanity? 

It must be built on facts and demonstration not on tradi- 
tional teaching. It must be in harmony with nature, human life 
and reason. It must be eclectic accepting demonstrated truth from 
every quarter. It must be simple, natural, practical and lead to 
health, happiness and success. It must tend in spirit and teaching 
to bring the world into peace and brotherhood. 

81. What attitude does Spiritualism take toward War and 
Peace? 

War is regarded with horror by all true Spiritualists 
all of whom believe in peace and brotherhood between men and 
man, and world-wide peace among the nations. 

All aggressive wars, wars of conquest, wars of extension of 



territory or commercial privilege or trade, or colonization, are 
absolutely condemned by the ethics of Spiritualism. 

Wars of self-defense, wars of liberation for the oppressed, 
wars for privileges vital to human life and happiness are justified 
reluctantly on the ground that a nation has the same right to 
fight in defense of its national life and in defense of human liberty 
as an individual has to fight in defense of his life and liberty under 
attack. 

82. What does Spiritualism teach us in regard to man's duty to 
his native land or the land of his adoption? 

That every man owes a debt of loving and loyal service to 
his own land, to which he should render a supreme devotion. No 
man can serve two masters and no one can render a supreme 
devotion to two flags. This does not imply any spirit of antagon- 
ism to other lands. It simply states the law of reciprocity 
that should exist intact under all circumstances between the citi- 
zen and the state: the state granting and guaranteeing the full 
rights of citizenship to each citizen and affording ample protec- 
tion to him in the possession of his life and property, and the 
citizen, as in duty bound, rendering in thought, speech and service 
loyal devotion to his country which protects him. 

83. Has Spirtualism any definite knowledge concerning a Life 
after Death? 

Spiritualism today has indubitable proof that man lives after 
death. Its evidence of this great fact is a million fold stronger 
than the evidence the world possesses of the truth of historical 
Christianity. The great fact upon which all the preaching and 
evangelism of the Apostles of Jesus was based was the dogma 
of his resurrection. This was the substance of the message of 
early Christianity. It was based on the testimony of those who 
saw and recognized the arisen Master. It possessed in those days 
living witnesses and (accepting the Gospel accounts) large num- 
bers of them. Today its evidence rests on the written testimony 
of the Gospels which, while divergent, may be regarded as sub- 
stantially true. It may be said that historical Christianity today 
rests on the testimony of the two eye-witnesses given in the Gos- 
pels. Yet upon the record of these two witnesses — preserved 
through the centuries — and whether altered or changed in the 
copying no one knows — the whole Christian world accepts as a 
veritable fact the Resurrection Story. 

Spiritualism has its millions of living witnesses, the testimony 
of a galaxy of brilliant, scientific men, and can point to convinc- 
ing manifestations of the resurrection power in our own age daily. 

84. It is boldly asserted that Modern Spiritualism, despite its 
Professed communications with the Spirit Realm for the past 



seventy years, has really discovered nothing definite concern- 
ing Life after Death. Is this true? 

A greater untruth could scarcely be uttered. It is admitted 
that communication with the Spirit Realm is still in a tentative 
and an experimental stage. It may be frankly confessed that 
there is yet much to learn about the conditions and laws that 
govern spirit return. There are, doubtless, many improvements 
to be made in our knowledge and methods of receiving and in- 
terpreting the vibratory messages of our Spirit friends. Yet cer- 
tain great fundamental principles regarding the Future Life have 
been discovered and confirmed by the unanimous testimony of 
communicating spirits, so that there can be no rational doubt 
of their truth. 

85. What, according to Spiritualism, is the relation between the 
present life and the life after death ? 

The life after death is simply a continuation, a sequel, of the 
life here. A man starts in the spirit life, mentally and morally 
where he left off here. There is no sudden transformation of 
character in death. A man's future status depends upon his 
thought, sentiments and conduct here. 

In a large sense the future is a harvest from his earth life 
seed-sowing. This teaching is entirely novel and distinctly op- 
posed to the conception of the After Life fostered and taught 
for centuries by the churches, that death changed us instantly 
into angels or demons. 

86. Does Spiritualism recognize rewards and punishments in the 
life after death? 

Yes, but natural rewards and punishments of the same kind 
as here. It does not find any arbitrary rewards and punishments 
there any more than here. All rewards and punishments in all 
the realms of God's great kingdom, are found in the outworking 
of nature's laws. They are not either favoritism on the one hand, 
nor vengeance on the other. Man sins and suffers here, or obeys 
the law and reaps reward. And as below, so above. 

No man escapes punishment, no man misses due reward. 
The idea of an atoning sacrifice for sins which will remove their 
natural consequences (pardon) is simply ludicrous to the inhabi- 
tants of the spirit spheres. 

87. Is there according to Spiritualistic teaching any restraint on 
the liberty or conduct of men after death? 

No, except the moral restraint which is no doubt more 
forcible there than here. Men have their choice of locality within 
the sphere for which their condition destines them at death. They 
make their own associations. They choose their own lines of 



work or engagement. They find many paths to knowledge and 
many calls upon their energies and in all communications they 
represent their lives as full of labor and interest. 

88. Do the departed, according to Spiritualism, find heaven and 
hell as depicted by Church teaching? 

Not at all. On the contrary they find a very natural world 
on a plane of vibration higher than this, but very similar in many 
ways, yet more beautiful. They deny any vision of a great 
white throne, any manifestations of a personal God, any appear- 
ance of Jesus, or any lake of fire and torment for lost souls. 

They do assert, however, that great moral distinctions are 
found in the spirit realm. That some of the departed may be 
truly represented as in heaven and others as in hell. They tell 
us that each soul entering spirit life brings his own heaven or 
hell with it. Some souls gravitate downward toward the 
spheres of darkness and suffering and find their "own place* * by 
the operation of natural law. Some souls mount upward to 
spheres of light, love and beauty, and having peace and love 
within themselves find the happiness of the blest. They say there 
is, therefore, a fundamental truth in the doctrine of heaven and 
hell if the descriptions of the same in the Bible and church teach- 
ing are taken as figurative and not literalized. 

89. What advantage has the instructed Spiritualist entering 
Spirit Life over the man who accepts church teachings? 

The same advantage that a man who has studied his guide 
books and obtained reliable information about the strange coun- 
try he is going to visit, has over the man wh6 has acquired false 
concepts or has remained in complete ingorance on the subject. 
The instructed Spiritualist knows in a large measure what to ex- 
pect. He is not mislead by false notions. He can find himself 
and his place and work more readily than the man who has had 
his mind filled with false, fantastic notions of the after life. 

90. How, according to Spiritualistic teaching, do the arisen spirit 
friends pass their time in spirit life? 

In a great multitude of engagements. Among these we 
may mention the following: 

In study of the new realm and intercourse with its inhabi- 
tants; in attending lectures, meetings, schools and colleges; in 
researches in science suited to their former tastes and avocations; 
in recreations and amusements; in travel and adventure; in 
music, art and authorship; in ministrations to the ignorant and 
undeveloped souls; and in communion with earth friends, and a 
practical prolongation of their earth careers by inspiring and 
aiding mortals to continue their former earth labors. 



Multitudes of ministers who have taught the falsities of 
the Old Theology come back to inspire their fellow ministers 
with wider and truer concepts of truth. Many former healers 
on the earth plane come back from spirit spheres and inspire and 
help sensitives to heal suffering humanity. 

91. What is the teaching of Spiritualism regarding Inventions 
and Discoveries upon the earth plane? 

That these are previously known in the spirit spheres and 
imparted by inspiration to inventors and discoverers (so-called) 
on the earth plane who are in reality sensitives. This harmonizes 
with the Scriptural teaching that "every good thing is from 
above" and is supported by the testimony of many mortals who 
assert they have been promised and actually given, either in mes- 
sages or by visions impressed on their mentality, the inventions 
they have given out to the world. 

92. Is there reason for thinking that Music, Art and Authorship 
of the highest type are direct inspirations from the spirit world 
upon earth sensitives? 

The character and habits of musical composers and of the 
highest grade of artists and authors inspires the belief that these 
three classes of workers are mediums, developed or undeveloped, 
and that they are largely channels for the lofty music, art and 
literature given through them to the world. 

93. Is there Special Reason for believing that the true Poet is 
a prophet, inspired and illumined by spirit influence, and that 
"the thoughts that breathe and the words that burn ,, are given 
him from above? 

That the true poets are prophets, and all the prophets are 
mediums, seems evident to one who studies their character and 
their lives. 

Most great poets (Homer, Milton, Shakespeare and others) 
expressly acknowledge that the source of their poetry is outside 
themselves by invoking their heavenly muse. The poets have 
all the peculiarities of Mediumship. They are, as a class, free 
thinkers. They are reformers in politics and many of them de- 
nominated infidels in religion. They are in a class by themselves, 
like mediums. They must have conditions harmonious or they 
cannot poetize. Many of them like Tennyson and Longfellow 
are known to have been Spiritualists. Many of them teach ex- 
pressly spirit return (Homer Shakespeare, Longfellow, Tenny- 
son), and their poetry is saturated with the Philosophy of Spirit- 
ualism. Read "Spiritualism and the Poets" in "Self-Unfold- 
ment," published by The Austin Publishing Co., of Los Angeles, 
California. 



94. Why, if Spiritualism be* true, are there such efforts made in 
all the cities to harrass and persecute Mediums? 

No doubt the opposition to Medimuship springs from a 
Variety of causes. Ignorance and church prejudice in many 
cases are inspiring causes. It must be frankly confessed, how- 
ever, that the misconduct, fraud and trickery that have char- 
acterized much professed mediumship, especially of that travel- 
ing fraternity of fakers who steal the livery of Spiritualism to 
serve the devil of their own greed of unholy gain, has furnished 
the public a seemingly justifiable cause for opposition to Medium- 
ship and Spiritualism. The civil authorities of the various cities 
have a hard task on hand in trying to protect unwary citizens 
from unprincipled charlatans and at the same time afford reason- 
able liberty to mediums who respect themselves and their med- 
iumship and are honestly trying to instruct and benefit the people. 
Gradually, however, as the work of the National Spiritualist As- 
sociation as a religious body becomes better known and appre- 
ciated, all workers identified therewith will receive fuller recogni- 
tion of their rights and those charged with the making and en- 
forcing of the laws will learn to distinguish between Spiritualism 
and Mediumship in a religious organization, and the irregular, ir- 
responsible and unauthorized work of individuals who are using 
Spiritualism solely for money-making. 

95. Is Spiritualism making progress in the churches? 

The changed tone of pulpit teaching embracing as it does 
many of the distinctive features of Spiritualism; the conversion 
here and there of prominent ministers to Spiritualism (Rev. Nor- 
wood of Cronin Memorial Church, London, Ont., Rev. Robert 
Wynne, leading Baptist minister of London, England, and 
others) ; the vast numbers of church members found in the 
Seances; the popularity of recent Spiritualistic books among the 
clergy and laity; and many other "signs of the times" proves 
that the churches are saturated with the spirit and teachings of 
the Spiritualist religion. 

96. Will the churches cease their oposition to Spiritualism and 
accept the teaching of Spirit Return? 

That the churches will absorb more and more of the Spirit- 
ual Philosophy and the distinctive teachings of Spiritualism 
seems a certainty. They cannot, if they would, avoid this, since 
Spiritualistic ideas are in the air and the thought, literature, art, 
music and stage of today are reflecting more and more of these 
ideas upon the public mind. 

There does not seem any signs of general rapprochment be- 
tween the churches and Spiritualism, though here and there are 



indications that point to a recognition of Spiritualism as a re- 
ligion by the churches. The request of the Boston Ministerial 
Association to Rev. Fredk. Wiggin of the Unity Spiritualist 
church to deliver a series of lectures on Spiritualism before that 
body; exchange of pulpits between Spiritualist and Unitarian 
ministers; co-operation with Spiritualist churches on the part of 
Orthodox churches in social and benevolent work — point the 
way to better understanding and fraternity in the future. 

The churches will, of course, accept Spirit Return, but 
have their own ways and methods of dealing therewith. 

97. Does Spiritualism recognize the efficacy of Prayers for the 
Dead? 

Organized Spiritualism has never expressed itself on this 
question. The writer knows a number of representative Spirit- 
ualists who think the practice of prayers for the dead a most 
beautiful one and who believe in its efficacy. 

Spiritualists believe that while communcation between the 
mortal and spirit realms is generally through mediumship, that 
such communication is not limited to mediumship. In other 
words, that all persons are subject to impressions from the 
thought vibrations of their spirit friends, and that in turn, the 
mortals can by their thought vibrations affect their spirit friends. 
Spirit friends may need our prayers as well as our earth friends 
do. Longfellow in "Resignation" hints at this intercourse of 
thought in the lines: 

"Thinking that our remembrance, tho' unspoken, 
May reach her where she lives." 

98. What is the most effective way of promoting pure Spirit- 
ualism? 

Raise the standard of thought, life and character in the 
individual Spiritualist and bring our public services in their 
methods, ministry and mediumship up to the requirements of 
this age. 

Let Spiritualists everywhere study their Harmonial Philo- 
sophy and incarnate it in their lives. There is nothing so elo- 
quent as a good life. 

99. Should Spiritualists oppose and attack the churches? 

No. On the contrary let them recognize the good the 
churches are doing in many ways. Spiritualists should not hesi- 
tate to learn from the experiences of the churches since church- 
men have had many centuries of experience with organized re- 
ligious work and must have learned some wisdom. Spiritualists 
should grant freely to others the same right of independent 
thought and judgment which they claim for themselves. A 



frank recognition of the truth taught and the good done by the 
churches impresses the public with its spirit of candor and jus- 
tice, and makes the way open to a clear statement of the fallacies 
and falsities of Orthodox teaching. 

100. What will be the future of Spiritualism? 

The question may be considered as referring to organized 
Spiritualism and also as referring to the Teachings of Spiritualism. 

The fate of organized Spiritualism depends upon the wis- 
dom, prudence, consecration, harmony and progressiveness of 
its leaders and membership. 

The Teachings of Spiritualism under the organizations, 
through the press; through Psychic Research; through great 
Apostles of the Cult working independently (Sir Oliver Lodge, 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Flammarion, and many others) ; 
through the growth of liberal ideas incident to our age; through 
the development of the moral consciousness in man; and 
through the ministry of Unseen Angels and Spirits; will go on 
and on, conquering and to conquest, until the whole world shall 
know and rejoice in the great truth: * 'There is no death" and 
all God's great family are linked in glad communication and 
fellowship. 




inSRASy 0F CONGRESS 



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